Visit monuments across India for free (Sep 27 is World Tourism Day)

Indians can make trips to over 200 monuments and museums across the country for free on the occasion of World Tourism Day on Sunday, an official said.

According to an official at the ministry of tourism, a proposal regarding this was cleared by the Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma recently.

Some of the world heritage sites recognised by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), like the highly visited Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and monuments in Khajuraho would have free entry, the official added.

Salar Jung Museum of Hyderabad along with a few other museums would also welcome visitors without entry tickets.

This would not be applicable in the state of Bihar, the official said.

India would also announce on Sunday the setting up of a medical and wellness board to facilitate foreign tourists for availing quality healthcare services in the country, the minister said earlier.

The union tourism ministry in July said the Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India have registered a 1.8 percent growth compared to June last year, with the US contributing the highest number of tourists.

The FTAs were registered as 5.13 lakh in June 2015, compared to 5.05 lakh during the same period in 2014, the ministry said.

September 27 has been globally recognised by the UN as World Tourism Day since 1980.

With this year's theme of 'One billion tourists, one billion opportunities', the World Tourism Day 2015 emphasises the impact of the sector on economic growth, job creation and development, according to the UN World Tourism Organization.